Alfred John Schofield. – Tony Onslow

Following
in the footsteps of Edgar Chadwick, Alf Schofield first saw the light of day
through the mill chimneys of Blackburn in Lancashire. He was born 16th of July 1876 at 39
Alexandra Street the 4th child of David, a Machine Maker, and his
Wife Betsy. However, following the early death of her Husband, Betsy moved Alfred
and his siblings to the comfortable surroundings at 48, Brighton Road in
Birkdale where, on the 1881 census, she is reported to be “living by own means”.

Alfred
Schofield joined Everton, as an amateur, in December 1895 and was first scene
by the Goodison spectators on Boxing Day when he replaced Alf Millward for the
visit of the Scottish side, Celtic where he scored the deciding goal in 3-2
victory. He made his Football League debut, 7th of March, in 3-2
home win over Preston North End and scored – during the final game of the
season – as Everton won 2-1 at Stoke. Schofield next signed a professional form
and was paid a wage of £2 per week plus a “suitable position” of employment that
had been found by the club. Nevertheless, he failed to make the decisive
breakthrough and had made just 13 Football League appearances when he left
Everton, in April 1900, to sign for Division 2 side, Newton Heath.

On the 1st
of September he made his debut in 1-0 defeat at Glossop and quickly settled down
to life with the Manchester club. Schofield had previously played cricket for
Bootle but now transferred his services to the East Lancashire club in Blackburn
where he remained for several seasons. He was on the Newton Heath playing staff
when they survived a “winding up” order and assisted the new club, now playing
as Manchester United, to regained their First Division status in 1906.
Schofield retired from playing football in 1907 and returned to his home in
Liverpool having made 137 Football League appearances and scored 15 goals. He
was granted a benefit match from which he received the sum of £50.

During
his time at Goodison Park, Alfred Schofield had married Florence Fayer at West
Derby Registry Office in 1899. She was the younger sister of former Everton
player Thomas H Fayer and had been born in America. The 1911 census finds the
couple living at Rosedale Road in the Walton area of Liverpool where Alfred is
now a Coal Merchant employing several people. They have 4 children and all of
them have been born in Liverpool.

During
World War One he enlisted in the Kings Liverpool Regiment and was wounded in
action while serving with 3rd battalion. He was treated in Hospital
and returned home safely having been awarded the appropriate medals to
acknowledge his service.

After
the War he became a Turf Commission Agent with an office 59 South Castle
business and moved to live at 9 Woburn Hill in Old Swan. After World War 2 he
purchased a fine house at Dry Grange off Allerton Road, but his health was now giving cause for
concern. Alfred John Schofield, after a long illness, died on the 24th of
February,1953 and was cremated at Anfield Crematorium in Liverpool.